Impact absorbing assembly for vehicle interior systems and seat backs

ABSTRACT

An impact absorbing assembly for vehicle interiors comprises a body having tabs that are connected to the body by a bendable hinge. The body may be either secured to a structural member, a vehicle seat, a trim piece or may be formed integrally from part of a structural component making up part of the vehicle. The impact absorbing assembly may be disposed behind a covering layer or seat back shell. A method of making an impact absorbing assembly with sheet metal forming processes and method of absorbing impacts is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/927,154 filed Aug. 10, 2001, and also claims the benefit ofU.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/356,428, filed Feb. 2, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus forabsorbing energy when a body part of an occupant of a vehicle contactsan interior part of the vehicle, thereby reducing the trauma caused bythe impact. More particularly, one embodiment of the present inventionrelates to an impact absorbing member that may be disposed between atrim member and a vehicle seat structural member to create a crash padfor rear seat occupants on the rearwardly facing surface of a vehicleseat.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] Automobile interiors are designed to incorporate both active andpassive occupant protection systems. An example of an active occupantprotection system is the well known inflatable air bag that is deployedupon impact. Passive impact absorbing systems include foam padding, ribson plastic trim parts, aluminum honeycomb pads, and the like. Oneexample of a static system is energy absorbing elements incorporatedinto a headliner. Vehicle headliners line the inner surface of a vehicleroof and may include foam padding, aluminum honeycomb structures, paper,foil and plastic pre-forms. One product known as “O-Flex” that is soldby a company of the same name comprises a wound paper/foil member formedin a generally square tube configuration.

[0006] The cost of engineering and manufacturing a wide variety ofimpact absorbing products adds to the total cost of the vehicle. The useof a plethora of different impact absorption products complicatescomputer-aided design and computer simulation for optimization of impactabsorption systems. Energy absorbing countermeasures must be designed toprovide specified levels of impact protection within certain spacelimitation parameters. Availability of a myriad of different impactcountermeasure products increases the cost of engineering due to thedifficulty of matching products to applications. Further, many impactenergy absorbing countermeasure products are relatively high-costcomponents.

[0007] With prior art impact absorbing products, design flexibility islimited in many instances and optimum performance for various impactmechanics systems of various vehicles is difficult to achieve.

[0008] Aluminum honeycomb energy absorbing parts or O-Flex type productsare complex sub-assemblies. Such products may be made of aluminumhoneycomb material or exotic combinations of materials to meet exactingimpact absorption standards within limited spaces defined betweendecorative trim members and structural body parts.

[0009] The use of aluminum, cardboard, plastic, and other materials alsoresults in additional cost due to the need to meet performance standardswithin design parameter temperature specifications. Different types ofplastics, foams, and composite materials all have different temperaturecharacteristic profiles that require rigorous product testing to assurecompliance with impact standards and constant performance at allforeseeable temperatures.

[0010] There is a need for an impact absorption product that offersmaximum design flexibility and ensures optimum impact absorbingperformance in a variety of vehicles. There is also a need for a lowcost impact energy absorbing countermeasure product that may bemanufactured using efficient metal stamping processes. There is also aneed for an all metal impact countermeasure product that is unaffectedby temperature and is less dependent on rate of strain, thus lendingitself to simplified computer simulation and optimization of designs.There is also a need for impact countermeasure products that may be usedin headliners, roof support pillars, doors, dashboards, sunroof frames,and the like.

[0011] Vehicle seats are subject to designs standards for collisionenergy absorption. Vehicle seats such as that shown in FIG. 25 of theattached drawings have been designed to include expanded polypropylenefoam blocks A in the corners of the seat back shell B between the seatback shell B and the structural frame C of the seat. Expandedpolypropylene foam has been found to be relatively inefficient atabsorbing energy. Energy absorption is measured by determining the levelof deceleration over the time period over which an impact conditionoccurs. The level of deceleration must be less than a threshold value ifthe impact duration lasts more than a predetermined time interval.

[0012] Some disadvantages relating expanded polypropylene foam energyabsorbing members include the cost of these and other engineered foamproducts. Other disadvantages associated with expanded polypropylenefoam include the difficulty of assuring precise control of energyabsorption efficiency. Further, expanded polypropylene foams tend to besubject to variability in the manufacturing process. Variations inblowing agent activity, humidity and temperature may affect the impactabsorption characteristics of manufactured engineered foam products.

[0013] These and other needs and problems associated with prior artproducts are addressed by the present invention as summarized below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicleinterior is provided with an impact absorbing assembly. The impactabsorbing member is attached to a trim component with the vehicleinterior. The impact absorbing member may comprise a sheet form bodyportion and a plurality of tabs extending from the body portion. Thetabs are partially separated from the body portion and a bendable hingeconnection is provided along at least one edge of each tab where thetabs are still attached to the body portion but are bent so that the tabextends from the body portion. A covering layer is applied to the bodyportion on the side facing away from the structural component.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, an impact absorbingassembly is provided on an existing structural component of a vehicleinterior. The structural component of the vehicle interior functions asan impact absorbing member having a body portion and a plurality of tabsextending from the body portion. The tabs are partially separated fromthe body portion with a bendable hinge connection being provided alongat least one edge of each tab. A covering layer is applied to thestructural component to cover the tabs for aesthetic purposes.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, a method of makingan impact absorbing assembly for a vehicle is provided. The methodincludes the step of providing a sheet metal member and partiallysevering at least one tab from the sheet metal member. The tab is bentto extend outwardly from one side of the sheet metal member to therebyform a bendable hinge connection between the body portion and theportions of the tab that are not severed from the body portion where thetab is bent outwardly from the body portion.

[0017] According to another aspect of the method of the presentinvention, a method is disclosed for absorbing impact forces that areapplied when an occupant of a vehicle hits a structural component of avehicle interior. The method includes providing on a structuralcomponent an impact absorbing member having a sheet form body portionand a plurality of tabs extending from the body portion. The tabs arepartially separated from the body portion with a bendable hingeconnection being provided along at least one edge of each tab. When aforce is applied to the occupant of the vehicle, it may cause theoccupant to contact the impact absorbing member with an amount of forcegreater than a threshold value. When the occupant contacts the impactabsorbing member with a force grater than the threshold value, the tabsare plastically deformed thereby absorbing a part of the force appliedto the impact absorbing member by the occupant.

[0018] According to other aspects of the invention, the tabs may extendeither toward or away from the structural component. The tabs may bearranged in rows or columns. The tabs may be contoured, eitherindividually or relative to adjacent tabs. The impact absorptioncharacteristics of the assemblies may be modified by changing the heightof the tabs, thickness of the material, spacing of the tabs, angle ofthe tab relative to the body portion and arrangement of the tabs on thebody portion. The impact absorption characteristics of the assembly mayalso be modified by changing the geometric configuration of the tabs.The tabs may be flat tabs or may include stiffening ribs, a plurality ofplanar walls, or curved walls. The tabs may be arranged in groups in acircular pattern around an opening or may be formed to include two ormore bendable hinge connections to the body portion. The tabs may alsobe formed in a partially circular shape or may be formed with a centralwall having two sidewalls connecting the central wall to the bodyportion. The tabs may be formed to extend from one or both sides of thebody portion of the sheet and may be formed in a wide variety ofgeometric shapes including an L-shaped configuration, or the like.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the body portion ofthe impact absorbing member may be formed as a flat or curved member.The body portion may also include one or more stiffening ribs. Further,the body portion may include surface features such as holes or metalstake fasteners formed around a pierced hole that provide jagged edgesthat facilitate securing the impact absorbing member to a structuralmember or the covering layer.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the structuralmember may be a roof support pillar, dashboard, roof edge, or otherinterior part that is covered by a molded plastic trim piece. The impactabsorbing member may be attached to the trim piece prior to the trimpiece being attached to the structural member. Further, the impactabsorbing member may have a curved central wall and at least onesidewall that conform to an inner surface of the plastic trim piece.

[0021] According to still another aspect of the invention, the bodyportion of the impact absorbing member may have at least one clipprovided thereon for attaching a wiring harness to the impact absorbingmember.

[0022] According to yet another aspect of the invention, designflexibility is maximized to permit optimization of impact absorbingassemblies in a wide range of vehicles. The impact absorptioncharacteristics of the assembly may be modified by changing the size,shape, and placement of the tabs.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the invention, the impactabsorbing member is preferably formed of steel or aluminum and may beformed by standard stamping processes. Since the impact absorbing memberis formed of metal, the stress-strain properties are less dependent onthe rate of strain which permits simpler computer simulation for partdesign and verification of impact absorption characteristics. Metalconstruction also ensures consistent performance in a wide range oftemperatures.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicleseat is provided with an impact absorbing assembly. The impact absorbingassembly is attached to the seat back shell between a portion of theseat back shell and a structural component of the vehicle seat. Theimpact absorbing member is a metal member that is designed in the formof a bendable hollow structure that may be bent where an adjacent wallsintersect or in the form of tabs that may be bent at a bendable hinge.

[0025] According to the method of the invention, an impact absorbingassembly is provided as part of a vehicle seat by initially forming asheet metal member by conventional sheet metal roll forming or sheetmetal fabricating processing techniques. After forming, the metal impactabsorbing member is assembled to the vehicle seat back between thevehicle seat back and a structural portion of the seat back. A pluralityof metal impact absorbing members may be provided about the periphery ofthe vehicle seat back or at an interior location thereof. The seat backshell is assembled to the vehicle seat with a metal impact absorbingmember being oriented to bend in the event the rearwardly facing surfaceof the vehicle seat is impacted during a collision.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention the metalimpact absorbing members include a metallic body having a plurality oftabs cut from the body that are bent at a bendable hinge to anapproximately perpendicular orientation relative to the metal body.

[0027] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be better understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view ofthe attached drawings and in light of the following detailed descriptionof several modes of practicing the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a vehicle interiorequipped with several impact absorbing assemblies made according to thepresent invention;

[0029]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an impact absorbing assembly thatis adapted to be adhesively secured;

[0030]FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a impact absorbing assembly thatincludes metal stake fasteners;

[0031]FIG. 3b is a fragmentary perspective view showing the metal stakefasteners;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an impact absorbing assemblyhaving stiffening ribs;

[0033]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an impact absorbing assemblyhaving integrally formed rails;

[0034]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pillar trim piece having animpact absorbing assembly assembled thereto;

[0035]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a roof support pillarhaving a plurality of impact absorbing tabs formed therein;

[0036]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a impact absorbing assembly havingwire clips for securing a wiring harness thereto;

[0037]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of an impact absorbingassembly having contoured tabs;

[0038]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a impact absorbingassembly illustrating tabs of different heights;

[0039]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of an impact absorbingassembly having a body portion of increased thickness;

[0040]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of an impact absorbingassembly illustrating the spacing between rows and columns of tabs;

[0041]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the angularorientation of the tabs relative to body portion;

[0042]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an impact absorbing assemblyhaving staggered rows of tabs;

[0043]FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of a tab including sidewalls that are both attached to the body portion;

[0044]FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a curved tabconnected at two locations to the body portion;

[0045]FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view of a tab includingopenings along a bendable hinge and a slot;

[0046]FIG. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of an impact absorbingmember having L shaped tabs extending from opposite sides of a bodyportion;

[0047]FIG. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of a tab having ribs onopposite sides of the central flat section;

[0048]FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of a curved tab;

[0049]FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspective view of an impact absorbingmember having circularly disposed tabs;

[0050]FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of an impact absorbingassembly having a plurality of circular tabs supported on a body portionby a plurality of ribs;

[0051]FIG. 23 is an impact absorbing assembly having a tab includingwings;

[0052]FIG. 24 is a fragmentary perspective view of a tab having spacedribs;

[0053]FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art vehicleseat back having an expanded polypropylene foam block deposed betweenthe seat back and the vehicle seat structure;

[0054]FIG. 26 is a partially exploded fragmentary perspective view of avehicle seat back shell, a vehicle seat back structural member, andimpact absorbing members made in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention; and

[0055]FIG. 27 is a partially exploded fragmentary perspective view of avehicle seat back shell, a vehicle seat back structural member, andimpact absorbing members made in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 1, a vehicle interior 10 is provided with aplurality of impact absorbing assemblies 12 shown in phantom in variouslocations in the vehicle interior. It should be understood that theimpact absorbing assemblies 12 may be placed in many different locationswithin a vehicle interior.

[0057] For example, the impact absorbing assemblies 12 may be located onthe dashboard 14, roof support pillars 16, and above the headliner 18.The headliner 18 may have impact absorbing members 12 located in theareas of the roof rail 20 or windshield header 22. The door 24 may alsobe advantageously provided with one or more impact absorbing assemblies12.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 2, one example of an impact absorbingassembly 12 made according to the present invention is shown to includea plurality of tabs 26 and apertures 28 that are formed in a bodyportion 30. The tabs 26 are punched by sheet metal forming processesfrom the body portion on three sides forming the aperture 28 with thefourth side of the aperture 28 comprising a bendable hinge 32.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2, the body portion 30 includes a series ofholes 34 on two edges that facilitates securing the impact absorbingassembly 12 to a supporting surface by means of an adhesive 36. Acovering layer 38 is shown partially in phantom lines that covers theimpact absorbing assembly 12.

[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 3a and 3 b, an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention is shown wherein metal stake fasteners 40 areformed at the corners of the body portion 30. The metal stakes areprovided to facilitate securing the impact absorbing assembly 12 to asupporting surface.

[0061] Referring now to FIG. 4, an impact absorbing assembly 12 is shownto include two space parallel ribs 42. The ribs 42 are provided tostiffen the body portion 30 and also may facilitate securing the impactabsorbing assembly 12 to a supporting surface.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment is shownwherein parallel rails 44 are provided on the body portion 30 that areintegrally formed on opposite sides of the array of tabs 26.

[0063] Referring now to FIG. 6, a pillar trim piece 46 is shown inconjunction with an impact absorbing assembly 12. The impact absorbingassembly 12 has a body portion 30 from which the tabs 26 are formed. Thedoor trim piece 46 includes an inner surface 48 to which the impactabsorbing assembly 12 is secured. At least one side wall 50 is providedadjacent the body portion 30 so that the impact absorbing assembly maybe assembled to several surfaces of the pillar trim piece 46.

[0064] Referring now to FIG. 7, alternative embodiment is shown whereina structural member such as a roof support pillar 56 is shown to includea pillar wall 58 having a plurality of tabs 60 formed directly in thepillar wall 58. The tabs 60 are punched from the pillar wall 58 in whichapertures 62 are formed. The pillar 56 is covered by a covering layer64.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of the impactabsorbing assembly 12 is shown wherein a wiring harness 66 is secured tothe impact absorbing assembly 12 by one or more wire clips 68.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of the impactabsorbing assembly 12 of the present invention is shown wherein a curvedmember 70 is provided with a plurality of contoured tabs 72 a-d areprovided. The contoured tabs 72 a-d have two generally parallel sidesand an upper edge that is angularly oriented relative to the surface ofthe curved member 70.

[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 10-13 several different design parametersare provided each of which may be modified to change the impactabsorption characteristics of the assembly. In FIG. 10, tabs of twodifferent heights are provided with the arrows “h₁” and “h₂” indicatingthe difference in heights of adjacent tabs. In FIG. 11 arrows “w”indicate that the thickness of the body portion may be varied to changethe impact absorption characteristics of the assembly. FIG. 12illustrates that spacing areas “s₁” and “s₂” indicate that the spacingbetween rows and columns of tabs may also be modified to meet designcriteria. FIG. 13 illustrates that the angle of the tabs relative to thebody portion as represented by arrow “α” may be modified to change theimpact absorption characteristics of the assembly.

[0068]FIG. 14 illustrates an impact absorbing assembly whereinalternating rows of tabs have different numbers of tabs 26 in each row.

[0069]FIG. 15 shows an alternative tab construction wherein the tab 26is connected on two ends to the body portion. The tab 26 includes acentral wall 76 and two side walls 78 that are each connected to thebody portion 30.

[0070]FIG. 16 shows yet another alternative embodiment tab wherein thetab comprises a curved wall 80 connected on two ends 82 to the bodyportion 30.

[0071] Referring now to FIG. 17 another embodiment of a tab 26 is shownto include a pair of holes 86 and a slot 88. The holes 86 are shown tobe located at the bendable hinge 32 and would tend to make the tab 26less resistant to bending while the aperture or slot 88 may be includedto provide bending relief or to reduce the weight of the assembly.

[0072] Referring now to FIG. 18, another alternative embodiment is shownwherein the tabs do not extend from the same side of the body portion30. The tabs include an inner L shaped tab 90 and an outer L shaped tab92. The L shaped tabs 90, 92 each include two legs with one legextending from the body portion and a second leg extending generallyparallel to the body portion 30.

[0073] Referring now to FIG. 19, another alternative embodiment of a tab26 for use with the impact absorbing assembly of the present inventionis shown wherein two curved ribs 94 are provided on opposite sides of acentral flat section 96. The ribs 94 and flat section 96 may be formedby sheet metal forming processes such as a progressive sheet metal dieinto the shape shown. Such processes also may be used to form othertypes of tabs.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 20, an alternative embodiment of an impactabsorbing assembly having a curved tab 98 is shown wherein the curvedtab 98 is formed from the body portion 30.

[0075] Referring now to FIG. 21, an alternative of an impact absorbingassembly 12 is shown wherein a plurality of tapered tabs 100 are formedfrom the body portion 30 and are disposed in a circular array around anaperture 28.

[0076] Referring now to FIG. 22, another alternative embodiment of animpact absorbing assembly is shown wherein a circular tab 102 issupported in a generally parallel orientation relative to the bodyportion 30 by means of a plurality of spaced ribs 104.

[0077] Referring now to FIG. 23, another alternative embodiment of a tabfor an impact absorbing member is shown wherein a bifold tab 106 isprovided with wings 108 on opposite sides of a central portion 110.

[0078] Referring now to FIG. 24 another embodiment of the presentinvention is shown wherein a tab 26 is provided with ribs 112 thatstiffen the tab 26.

[0079] The impact absorbing assembly 12 of the present invention isgenerally provided in a vehicle interior 10 behind a covering membersuch as a headliner 18 or inside the vehicle dashboard 14 or door 24. Acovering layer is provided to cover the assembly 12 and may be locatedon the tips of the tabs 26 or on the side of the body portion 30opposite the tabs 26 if the tabs 26 are provided on one side of the bodyportion 30. If the impact absorbing assembly 12 has tabs 90, 92extending on opposite sides of the body portion 30 the covering layercould be provided on either side of the assembly.

[0080] In an impact, the impact absorbing assembly 12 functions toabsorb the kinetic energy of the impact wherein the tabs 26 areplastically deformed. Plastic deformation of the tabs 26 results in theenergy of the impact being absorbed.

[0081] Referring now to FIG. 26, a seat back shell 120 is adapted to besecured to a seat back structural member 122. A plurality of metalimpact absorbing members are secured to the seat back shell 120. Asshown in the embodiment of FIG. 26, impact absorbing members 124 aredisposed about the periphery of the seat back shell.

[0082] Each impact member absorbing member 124 includes a body portion126 and a plurality of tabs 128 extending from the body portion 126. Thetabs 128 are connected to the body portion 126 by means of bendablehinge 130.

[0083] Referring now to FIG. 27, a seat back shell 120 and a seat backshell structural member 122 are shown in exploded perspective with aplurality of alternative embodiment impact absorbing members 132 securedto the seat back shell 130. The impact absorbing members 132 madeaccording to the alternative embodiment are hollow elongated membershaving walls that form either a closed or open polygonal shape. In thedisclosed embodiment the impact absorbing member 132 may have a square,rectangular, or quadrilateral configuration with four sides being formedby sheet metal forming operations or roll forming operation. The inputabsorbing member 132 may also be round or oval in cross section.

[0084] One side may include a seam 134 if the member 132 is closed. Theflanges 136 forming the side including the seam 134 are shown extendingtoward each other to form the seam 134. Alternatively, the flanges 136could be formed to extend outwardly. The impact absorbing member 132 mayalso be partially curved, curved, or an other polygonal shape membersuch as a pentagon, hexagon, octagon, or the like. It is preferred thatnone of the walls of the impact absorbing member 132 extend directlytowards the impact source so that, upon impacting, the impact absorbingmember 132 may deform primarily at the corners of the impactingabsorbing member 132 so that it is not necessary to compress a walllengthwise in an impact.

[0085] Upon an object striking the seat back shell 120, the seat backshell 120 causes one or more of the attached impact absorbing members124, 132 to be driven into the seat back structural member 122. Theimpact absorbing members 124, 132 are deformed to absorb the impactenergy. The characteristics of the impact absorbing members 124, 132 maybe tuned or set to meet energy absorbing efficiency standards by simplychanging the shape, orientation or size of the tab of impact absorbingmember 134 or the thickness, configuration, size or shape of the impactabsorbing member 132.

[0086] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate anddescribe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used inthe specification are words of description rather than limitation, andit is understood that various changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An impact absorbing assembly for a vehicle seatback comprising: a structural component of a vehicle seat; an impactabsorbing member having a sheet form body portion and a plurality oftabs extending from the body portion, the tabs being partially separatedfrom the body portion with a bendable hinge connection being providedalong at least one edge of each tab; and a seat back shell enclosing theimpact absorbing member on the structural component.
 2. The assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the tabs extend from the body portion toward the seatback shell.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tabs extend from thestructural component toward the seat back shell and wherein the ends ofthe tabs form the side facing away from the structural component towhich the seat back shell is applied.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 whereinthe tabs are arranged in rows and columns on the body portion of theimpact absorbing member.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the bodyportion of the impact absorbing member is flat.
 6. The assembly of claim1 wherein the body portion of the impact absorbing member is curved. 7.The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tabs are formed into a partiallycircular shape.
 8. An impact absorbing assembly for a vehicle interiorcomprising: a structural component of the vehicle seat defining animpact absorbing member having a body portion and a plurality of tabsextending from the body portion, the tabs being partially separated fromthe body portion with a bendable hinge connection being provided alongat least one edge of each tab; and a seat back shell applied to thestructural component of the vehicle seat that covers the tabs.
 9. Amethod of making an impact absorbing assembly for a vehicle seatcomprising: providing a sheet metal member; partially severing at leastone tab from the sheet metal member; bending the tab to extend outwardlyfrom one side of the sheet metal member and thereby forming a bendablehinge connection between the body portion and the portions of the tabthat are not severed from the body portion where the tab is bentoutwardly from the body portion.
 10. A method of absorbing impact forcesapplied when an occupant of a vehicle is thrust into a vehicle seatcomprising: providing on the vehicle seat an impact absorbing memberhaving a sheet form body portion and a plurality of tabs extending fromthe body portion, the tabs being partially separated from the bodyportion with a bendable hinge connection being provided along at leastone edge of each tab; a seat back shell assembled over the impactabsorbing member; applying a force to the occupant of the vehicle thatcauses the occupant to contact the seat back shell that is driven intothe impact absorbing member with an amount of force greater than athreshold value; bending at least one of the tabs to cause plasticdeformation of the tabs that absorbs a part of the force applied to theseat back shell by the occupant.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein thetabs are formed in accordance with impact absorption design criteria toprovide impact absorption at specified locations in the interior of thevehicle wherein the size, shape, thickness, orientation and arrangementof the tabs may be varied to meet design criteria.